Hearty Minestrone Soup Recipe

This fresh-tasting minestrone soup gets its zesty flavor from Italian sausage. When you want to use up your garden bounty of zucchini, try this recipe. If your family likes food extra spicy, use hot bulk Italian sausage instead. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York

Nutritional Facts

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook the sausage until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towel to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings. Saute celery and onion in drippings for 5 minutes. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.Yield: 9 servings.

Originally published as Hearty Minestrone Soup in Taste of Home
October/November 1995, p19

"I didn't have any green peppers, either, so I didn't use them. I added some lentils like the minestrone at the restaurant, so I needed more liquid and added 2 cans of condensed beef broth. This is very delicious!"